¶ A brief and sommarie discourse upon the intended Voyage to the hethermoste parts of America: Written by Captain Carleill in April 1583. for the better inducement to satisfy such Merchants of the Moscovian Company and others, as in disburcing their money towards the furniture of the pre●●nt charge: do demand forthwith a mesent return of gain: albeit their said particular disburcements are required but in very slender sums:  
The highest being twenty and five pound. The second at twelve pound ten shillings. And the lowest at six pound five shillings.   

Captain Carleills discourse  
WHen the Goldsmith desireth to find the certain goodness of a piece of gold, which is newly offered unto him, he presently bringeth the same to the Touchstone: whereby comparing the show or touch of this new piece with the touch or show of that which he knoweth of old, he forthwith is able to judge what the value is of that, which is newly offered unto him. After the example whereof I have thought it good to make some brief repetition of the particular estate of many other foreign Voyages and trades already frequented and known unto us, whereby you may be the better able to conceive and judge what certain likelihood of good there is to be expected in the Voyage, which is presently recommended unto your knowledge and resolution.  
And first to lay down that of moscovia, whose beginning is yet in the remembrance of many. It is well known that what by the charges of the first discovery, and by the great gifts bestowed on the Emperor and his Nobility, together with the lewd dealing of some their servants, who thought themselves safe enough from orderly punishment. It cost the Company above four score thousand pounds, before it could be brought to any profitable reckoning. And now that after so long a patience, and so great a burden of expenses. the same began to frame to some good course and commodity: It falleth to very ticklish terms, and to as slender likelihood of any further goodness as any other trade that may be named. For first the estate of those Countries and the emperors dealings, are things more fickle than are by every body understood. Next, the Dutchmen are there so crept in, as they daily augment their trade thither, which may well confirm that uncertainty of the emperors disposition to keep promise with our Nation. Thirdly, the quality of the voyage, such as it may not be performed but once the year. Fourthly, the charges of all Ambassadors between that Prince & her Majesty, are always borne by the merchants stock. And lastly, the danger of the King of Denmark, who besides that presently he is like to enforce a tribute on us, hath likewise an advantage upon our Ships in their voyage, either homewards or outwards whensoever he listeth to take the opportunity.  
The bad dealings of the Esterlynges are sufficiently known to be such towards our Merchants of that trade, as they do not only offer them many injuries overlong to be written, but do seek all the means they can, to deprive them wholly of their occupying that way: and to the same purpose have of late, clean debarred them their accustomed and ancient privileges in all their great Towns.  
The traffics into Turkey, besides that by some it is thought a hard point to have so much familiarity with the professed and obstinate Enemy of Christ: It is likewise a voyage which can not be made but at the devotion, and as it were in the danger of many States, who for sundry respects are apt to quarrel with us upon sudden occasions. And the presents to be given away in Turkey this year cost little less than two thousand pounds.  
As for the trades into all the parts of Italy, it may easily be considered by every one of judgement, that the same standeth in the like terms touching the passages, as that of Turkey, and that many times our Ships being taken in the way by the Galleys of Barbary, our poor Mariners after the loss of their goods and travail, are set at such excessive Ransoms before they can be freed of their slavery: as for the most part they are no way able to discharge: as for Example at this instant there are some prisoners poor ordinary Mariners, for whose releasing there must be paid two hundred Ducats the man, for some three hundred, yea, four or five hundred Ducats the man for some of them. And how enviously they do already oppose themselves against our frequenting into their parts, may appear by the late customs which they have imposed aswell upon our English Merchandise which we bring them, as also upon such their Merchandise which we fetch from them.  
The trade into Barbury groweth likewise to worse terms then before times: and when it was at the best our Merchants have been in danger of all their goods they had there, whensoever it happened the Ring to die. For until a new were choose, the liberty of all discordered persons is such, as they spoil & wrong whom they list without any redress at al.  
Touching Spain and Portugal, with whom we have very great trade, and much the greater, by means of their venting a good part of our wares into their Indieses, as also of the provision they have from the same, wherewith are made many of our returns from them again. It falleth out that twice the year ordinarily we send our Flates into those parts: So that whensoever the Ring of Spain listeth to take the opportunity, he may at these seasons deprive us not only of a great number of our very good Ships, but also of our honestest, and ablest sort of Mariners that are to be found in our whole Realm again: which is a matter of no small consequence: for it is to be noted, that when he shall take a quarrel in hand, though it be but his own particularly, yet hath he the means to put in hazard aswell those our Ships which are in his own Countries of Spain and Portugal, as also all others which shall be bound to any the parts of all Italy or of Turkey either. And further whosoever he be that is but so meanly affected in Religion, as of necessity becometh every ordinary man and good Christian to be, can not but be aggrieved in his heart to consider, that his children and servants whom he desireth to have well brought up, are in these trades of Spain and Portugal and all Italy, forced to deny their own profession, and made to acquaint themselves with that which the Parents and Masters do utterly deny and refuse, yea which many of them do in their own hearts abhor as a detestable and most wicked doctrine.  
But who shall look into the quality of this voyage, being directed to the latitude of 40. degrees, or there abouts of that hithermost part of America, shall find it hath as many points of good moment belonging unto it, as may almost be wished for. As first it is to be understood, that it is not any long course, for it may be performed to and from four months, after the first discovery thereof: Secondly, that one wind sufficeth to make the passage; whereas most of your other voyages of like length, are subject to three or four winds. thirdly, that it is to be performed at all times of the year. Fowerthly, that the passage is upon the high sea, whereby you are not bound to the knowledge of dangers, on any other coast, more than of that Country, and of ours here at home. fiftly, that those parts of England and Ireland, which lie aptest for the proceeding outward, or homeward upon this voyage, are very well stored of goodly Harbourghes. Sixtly, that it is to be accounted of no danger at all, as touching the power of any foreign Prince or State, when it is compared with any the best of all the other voyages before recited.  
And to the godly minded, it hath this comfortable commodity, that in this trade, their factors, be they their servants or children, shall have no instruction or confessions of Idolatrous Religion enforced upon them, but contrarily shall be at their free liberty of conscience, and shall find the same Religion exercised, which is most agreeable unto their parents and Masters  
As for the Merchandizing, which is the matter especially looked for, albeit that for the present, we are not certainly able to promise any such like quantity, as is now at the best time of the Moscovian trade brought from thence: So likewise is there not demanded any such proportion of daily expenses, as was at the first, and as yet is consumed in that of moscovia and other. But when this of America shall have been haunted and practised, thirty years to an end, as the other hath been, I doubt not by God's grace, that for the ten Ships, that are now commonly employed once the year into Moscovia, there shall in this voyage twice ten be employed well, twice the year at the least. And if for the present time, there do fall out nothing else to be found, than the bare Fishing, yet doubt I not after the first years planting, but by that matter only to serve half a dozen of your best sort of ships, although my supply of people do not follow me so substantially, as in all reason may be well looked for.  
But when it is asked what may be hoped from thence after some years, it is first to be considered, that this situation in 40. degrees, shallbe very apt to gather the commodities, either of those parts which stand to the Southward of it, as also of those which are to the Northward.  
In the Northerly may be expected, not only an especial good fishing for Salmon, Cod, and Whales, but also any other such commodities, as the Eastern Country is do yield us now: as Pitch, Tar, Hemp, and thereof Cordage, Masts, Losshe hides, rich Furs, and other such like, without being in any sort beholding to a King of Denmark, or other Prince or State, that shallbe in such sort able to command our ships at their pleasure, as those do at this day, by means of their strait, passages, and strong Shipping.  
As for those parts which lie West, and to the southwards, it may well be hoped they will yield wines with a small help, since the grapes do grow there of themselves already very fair, and in great abundance. olives being once planted, will yield the like Oil as Spain and Italy. The Country people being made to know, that for Wax and Honey, we will give them such trifling things, as they desire of us, and showing them once the means, how to provide the same, the labour thereof being so light, no doubt but in short time they will earnestly care to have the same in good quantity for us. Besides what great likelihood there is of good means to make Salt, which may serve for the fishing of those parts, may well enough appear unto them, who can judge the quality of such places, as are required to make the same in.  
Thus much for the beginning, because they may be had with an easy kind of travail. But when it may have pleased God, to establish our people there any such time, as they may have planted amongst them, in sundry parts of the Country, and that by gentle and familiar entreating them, they be made to see, what is better for them, than they do as yet understand of, and that in so many sorts of occasious, as were infinite to be set down. It is to be assuredly hoped, that they will daily by little & little, forsake their barbarous, and savage living, and grow to such order and civility with us, as there may be well expected from thence no less quantity, and diversity of Merchandise, 
This is spoken upon the opinion which by some is conceived that Ireland is not suffeted to be reduced to that perfection which it might be, lest one dai● by chance revolting from the Crown it might prove an overstrong party to be so near an enemy unto England.  then is now had out of Dutchlande, Italy, France, or spain. And as the bordering neighbours, are commonly the aptest to fall out with us, so these parts, being somewhat further remote, are the liker to take, or give less occasion of disquiet. But when it is considered, that they are our own kindred, and esteemed our own Country Nation which have the government: meaning by those who shallbe there planted, who canlooke for any other than the dealing of most loving, and most assured friends.  
There are further to be considered, these two points of good importance, concerning the matter of trade. The one is, that by the good prospering of this action, there must of necessity fall out, a very liberal utterance of our English Clothes, into a main Country, described to be bigger than all Europe, the larger part whereof bending to the Northward, shall have wonderful great use of our said English Clothes, after they shall ouce come to know the commodity thereof. The like will be also of many other things, overmany to be reckoned, which are made here by our Artificers & labouring people, and of necessity must be provided from hence.  
The other is, if there be any possible means, to find a Sea passage, or other fresh water course, which mate serve in some reasonable and convenient sort, to transport our Merchandise into the East Indian Sea, through any of these Northerly parts of America, it shallbe soonest and most assuredly performed by these who shall inhabit, and first grow into familiarity with the Inland people.  
What Mineral matter may fall out to be found, is a thing least in suspense, until some better knowledge, because there be many men, who having long since, expected some profits herein, upon the great promises that have been made them, and being as yet in no point satisfied, do thereupon conceive, that they be but words purposely cast out, for the inducing of men to be the more willing to furnish their money, towards the charge of the first discovery.  
But now to answer some others, who begin with an other objection, saying: That it is not for the merchants purse, to continue the charges of transporting and planting: and that since these hundred men, which are now to be planted, will cost four thousand pound, it is then to be thought, that the charge of a far greater number, will be also a far greater some of money. Whereunto I answer, that in all atemptes unknown, especially such a one as is this, wherewith we are presently in hand, the first charges are commonly adventured in more desperate kind, than those that follow upon some better knowledge: and therewith it falleth out, that whereas one adventureth in the first enterprise, an hundred for that one will of themselves be willing, and desirous to adventure in the next, if there be never so little more appearance, that the intended matter is by some knowledge of our own, found true in some points of our first presumption. 
The ewer of metal brought by Master Frobisher, caused two several Supplies though two years next following, whereof the latter was of xiv. tall Ships.  The examples are many, and may easily be remembered by those who be Merchants, even in their ordinary and daily trades, as well as in extraordinary attempts, which of late years have fallen into those terms of some likelihood, as is above said. So then no doubt, but when certain reports shallbe brought by them, who directly come from thence: that such a Country and people, they have themselves seen, as is by us spoken of, but that then there will come forward a greater number of those, who now neither have hard any thing of the matter, as also of others, who presently make such frivolous scruple, as will not otherwise be satisfied, then by the report of saint Thomas. I speak not this by the Merchants, whom for their freedoms of trade, I would not have pressed to any further charge, than this first preparation, but rather by such as have great affection, to hazard the changing of their estates, 
Sir France's Drake his passage only through the Isles of Molucca, was cause of a preparation thither of seventeen thousand pounds, whereof there was not above five or six thousand in Merchandise, the rest in other charges of Shipping and expensive provision.  and would be well content to go in the Voyage, if they might only be assured that there is such a Country, and that their money should not be wasted to nothing in the preparations. The right examination of this point, must be the contrary sequel of the common Poruerbe, Nothing venture, nothing have, so on the other side by venturing, many great good proffites are found out, to the wonderful benefit of the common weal, and to those especially in private, who take on the hazard of their life and travail, or substance in the first attempts, and therefore I would wish that they who (God be thanked) are well able to spare that, which is required of each one towards the undertaking of this adventure, be well content and willing to employ the same, since the sequel in good and substantial reason doth promise, not only a great commodity in particular to the Merchant, who shall here at home exercise the trade of Merchandise: But also to an infinite number of other, who presently live in poor estate, and may by taking the opportunity of this discovery, altar the same to a far better degree. Wherefore to make some conclusion upon this point of the merchants misdoubt, who suspecteth least this first disburcement, without return of present gain, should not be all his charge, but that afterwards he might yet further be urged to continue the like again, as hath happened in the discovery of the Moscovian trade. It may suffice to consider, that this is not an action, which concerneth only the Merchants particularly, but a grea● deal more the general sort of people throughout all England: And that when such relation shallbe returned, as that it may be found a matter worthy the following, the whole generality will not refuse to contribute towards the furtherance thereof, rather than it should sink, for want of any reasonable supply. But as it is a very little time, since I have been throughly resolved, to try my fortune in the matter, so is it more than time, the preparation were in hand already, and therefore no fit time now, to make any number of ignorant men to understand with reason, the circumstance that belongeth to a matter of so great consideration and importance.  
To those who have any forward minds in well doing, to the generality of mankind, I say this much more, that Christian charity doth as greatly persuade the furtherance of this action, as any other that may be laid before us, in as much as thereby, we shall not only do a most excellent work, in respect of reducing the savage people, to Christianity and civility, but also in respect of our poor sort of people, which are very many amongst us, living altogether unprofitable, and often times to the great disquiet of the better sort. For who knoweth not, how by the long peace, happy health, and blessed plentifulness, wherewith GOD hath endued this Realm, that the people is so mightily increased, as a great number being brought up, during their youth in their parent's houses, without any instruction how to get their livings, after their parent's decease, are driven to some necessity, whereby very often, for want of better education they fall into sundry disorders, and so the good sort of people, as I said before, are by them ordinarily troubled, and themselves led on, to one shameful end or other, whereas if there might be found some such kind of employment, as this would be no doubt but a greater part of them would be with held, from falling into such vile deeds: and in stead thereof, prove greatly serviceable in those affairs, where they might be so employed. This I speak of mine own experience, having seen divers come over to the wars of the law Countries, during my rsidence in the same, who here had been very evil and idle livers, and by some little continuance with us, have grown to be very industrious in their faculty, which I can assure you, was a more painful manner of living, then in this action is like to fall out, and withal to a purpose of far less value, in respect of their particular recompense, then with an assured kind of good hope is looked for in this.  
Thus you see in every point, that may be wished for, in a good action and voyage, there is matter and reason enough to satisfy the well disposed. But now to grow somewhat nearer the quick, and to show you some greater appearance, then hath been yet spoken of touching the trade which is the only subject wherewith I do mean to intermeddle at this time, because my address hereby is chiefly to men of such like faculty: you may understand by that followeth, the circonstance of a little discourse, which doth concern these matters very directly.  
In the year 1534. james Carthier of Deep, made his first discovery of those parts of America, which lie to the Westwards, and as it were on the backside of newfoundeland. In which voyage his principal intention was to seek out the passage, which he presumed might have been found out, into the East Indian sea, otherwise called the passage to Cathayo, but this year he went no higher, than the Istandes of the assumption in the great Bay of S. Laureuce, and so returned back into France.  
The next year following he went with greater provision into the grand Bay again, where he keeping the Northerly shore, ran up the great River that comes down from Canada and other places, until at last with his small Pinnaces, having left his great Shipping by the way, he arrived at Fochelaga Town, being five hundred leagues within the entrance of the grand Baie. In which travail he had spent so much of the year, that it was now the month of October, and therefore thought it convenient, for the better informing himself at large in this discovery, to Winter it out in those parts, which he did at a place called by himself holy Cross. This Winter fell out to be a very long and hard Winter, as many times the like happeneth with us in these parts, and the savage people who for the most part, make but a slender kind of provision, even as it were from hand to mouth fell into some scarcity of victuals; yet did they not refuse to serve the Frenchmen, with any thing they had all the Winter long, albeit at somewhat higher prices towards the end, when the need was most, as with ourselves the like happeneth at such times. But when the French had had their wants served all the year, and that as yet they saw not, any appearance of their intended matter, which was the discovery of the passage, and yet imagining by the signs wherewith the willing people, endeavoured to declare their knowledge in that point, that some good matter might be had from them, if they might have been well understood, they resolved with themselves, to take some of the sufficientest men of that Country home into France, and there to keep them so long, as that having once achieved the French tongue, they might declare more substantially their mind, and knowledge in the said passage, concluding this to be the mean of least charge, of least travail, and of least hazard. And when they came to bethink themselves, who might be meetest for it, they determined to take the King, as the person who might be best informed of such parts, as were somewhat remote from his own Country, as also that for the respect of him, the people would be always ready, and content to do them any further service, when it should happen them to return thither again about the discovery. Thus the poor King of the Country, with two or three others of his chief companions coming aboard the French Ships, being required thither to a banquet, was traitorously carried away into France, where he lived four years, and then died a Christian there, as Thevet the French Kings Cosmographer doth make mention. This outrage and injurious dealing, did put the whole country people into such dislike with the French, as never since they would admit any conversation, or familiarity with them, until of late years, the old matter beginning to grow out of mind, and being the rather drawn on by gifts of many trifling things, which were of great value with them, they are (as I said) within these two or three years content again to admit a traffic, 
The year 1581.  which two years since, was begun with a small Bark of thirty tons, whose return was found so profitable, as the next year following, being the last year, by those Merchants, who meant to have kept the trade secret unto themselves, from any others of their own Country men, there was hired a Ship of four score tons out of the isle of Jersey, but not any one Mariner of that place, saving a Shipboye. This Ship made her return in such sort, as that this year they have multiplied three Ships to be one of nine score tons, an other of an hundred tons, and a third of four score tons: which report is given by very substantial and honest men of Plymouth, who saw the said Ships in readiness to depart on their Voyage, and were aboard of some of them. Here is at this instant in the town a man of Gernesey, Lewis de Vicke: who reporteth to have credibly heard, that by this last years Voyage the Frenchmen got foreteene or fifteen hundred for every one hundred. But how soever it be, it carrieth good likelihood of some notable profit, in asmuch as they do so greatly, and thus suddenly increase the burden and number of their Ships this present year. Now, if in so little as two years times this voyage of the Northern parts be grown to such good pass as hath been declared unto you: it is worth the thinking on to consider what may be hoped for, from the Southern part: which in all reason may promise a great deal more. And so as one who was never touched with any indirect meaning, I presume to wish and persuade you to some better taking of this matter to heart, as a thing which I do verily think will turn to your greater and more assured commodity, than you receive by any other Voyage, as yet frequented of so short and safe a course as this hath: dealing herein no otherwise with you for your several small sums, than I do with myself, both for more of mine own, then is required of any one of you: besides the hazard and travel of my person, and the total employment of my poor credit, which (I thank God) hath hitherto passed clear and unspotted in matters of greater importance and difficulty, then is like to fall out in this between you and me.   

Articles set down by the Comitties 


The Comitties.  
Master Alderman Hart.  
Master Alderman Spencer.  
M. Hoddesden.  
Mai. William Burrowgh.  
Mai. Slany.  
M. Towerson.  
Ma. Stapers.  
Master John Castelyn.  
Mai. Leake.    appointed in the behalf of the Company of Moscovian Merchants, to confer with Master Carleill, upon his intended discoveries and attempt into the hithermost parties of America.  
FIrst, the Committees are well persuaded that the Country whereunto this action pretendeth is very fruitful, Inhabited with savage people of a middle & tractable disposition. And that of all other places which are unfrequented at this day, it is the only most fittest and most commodious for us to intermeddle withal.  
The convenientest manner of attempting this enterprise, is thought to be thus: That there should be one hundred men conveyed thither to remain there one whole year: who with friendly entreaty of the people, may enter into better knowledge of the particular estate of the Country, and thereby gather what Commodity may be hereafter or presently looked for.  
The charge to transport these hundred men, to victual them, and to furnish them of Munition and other needful things, will not be less than four thousand pounds: whereof hath been very readily offered by the City of Bristol one thousand pounds, the reside we being three thousand pounds, remaineth to be furnished by this City of London: or any others who will adventure their money in this first preparation.  
The Comitties think it convenient that a Priussedge should be procured by Master Carleill from her Majesty, by virtue whereof these Conditions and Articles following, may be effectually provided for.  
First, that they who shall disburce their money for the first preparation, shall be named Adventurers, and shall have the one half of all such Lands, Territories, Towns, mines of gold and silver, and other Metals whatsoever that shall be found, gotten, obtained, and conquered by this discovery: yielding to her Majesty one fift part of all their part gold and silver, as shall happen to be had out of any mines that so shall be found.  
That those parties which do employ themselves personally in the present discovery, shall be named Enterprisers, and shall have the other half of all the Lands, Territories, Towns, mines of gold and silver, and other Metals, yielding to her Majesty the fift part of the gold and silver, as the Adventurers do: The same to be distributed by the General, with the consent of the greatest part of twelve discreet persons to be chosen out of the whole number of Enterprisers.  
Also, that all trade of Merchandise which shall be used to and from those parts, which by this discovery shall be found out, shall appertain only to the Adventures which first shall disburce their money for this discovery, with prohibition to all other her majesties Subjects and other Merchants to deal in the said parts, without the consent of the first Adventurers, upon loss of Ship and goods, and punishment of their persons, that so shall adventure in trade of Merchandise: or otherwise by imprisonment at the Companies pleasure.  
That no person shall hereafter adventure in this discovery, as Adventurers for the profits mentioned in the first Article, but such only as do disburce their money in this first preparation: and they shall not adventure hereafter any greater some than rateably according to their proportion of this their first adventure.  
Also, the profit which by this discovery shall be attained unto, either by land which may be conquered, or otherwise gotten: as also such profit which by this discovery shall be obtained by mines, or otherwise gotten, that each one shall have his part rate and rate like: according to the proportion of their first adventure, and not otherwise.  
The Adventurers in this first preparation, shall at their own free will and liberty, choose whether they will supply hereafter any further charge or not: if there do fall out any such occasion to require the same. And yet withal shall for ever hold to them the freedom of the trade which shall grow in any of these parts. notwithstanding their said refusal to bear any further charge.  
That in the Patent which is to be obtained, be granted that all her majesties subjects, may transport themselves thither that shall be contented to go. And that the patented or his assigns may ship thither from time to time, so many and such persons, men, women and children, as they shall think meet. And the same persons to inhabit or remain there at their pleasure, any law to the contrary notwithstanding, with express prohibition as is mentioned in the third Article, against all others which shall go thither without the licence of the patented or his assigns first obtained.  
That it shall not be lawful for any of her majesties subsectes, or any other to inhabit or traffic within two hundred Leagues any way of the place, where the General shall have settled his chiefest being or residence.   
FINIS.